CITY OF SAN MATEO
CITY OF SAN MATEO
Agenda Report
City Hall
330 W. 20th Avenue
San Mateo CA 94403
www.cityofsanmateo.org
Agenda Number: 17 Section Name: CONSENT CALENDAR Account Number: 72-4671 File ID: 26-11243 TO: City Council
FROM: Alex Khojikian, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Public Works Department
MEETING DATE: June 15, 2026
SUBJECT:
Wastewater Treatment Plant Supply of Liquid Emulsion Polymer – Agreement RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a Resolution to approve an alternative purchasing procedure and award a purchase contract to Polydyne, Inc. for the supply of liquid emulsion polymer in the amount of $548,973.94; establish a contingency reserve in the amount of $54,900; and authorize the Public Works Director to execute the contract in substantially the form presented and issue change orders within the contingency amount.
BACKGROUND:
The Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) uses liquid emulsion polymer for the dewatering of biosolids. Polymer is a critical component of the dewatering process. Lowering the water content in biosolids reduces the transportation costs associated with hauling and disposal.
The current supplier, Polydyne, Inc. (Polydyne), has provided proprietary-blended polymers that have been tested and optimized for the WWTP’s biosolids. Staff recommends the continued use of these same polymer blends, Clarifloc WE- 2948, WE-1273, and WE-1728, from Polydyne since they have consistently demonstrated superior performance and produce the necessary results needed to maintain operations at the WWTP. The testing of different polymer blends from other chemical vendors would be a time and labor-intensive task which may not produce beneficial results.
San Mateo Municipal Code section 3.60.050(b) authorizes procurement without competitive bidding procedures when calling for bids is impracticable, unavailing, or impossible. A contract with Polydyne is appropriate pursuant to these standards as Polydyne is the sole source provider of its polymer blend, Clarifoc WE-2948, WE-1273, and WE-1728.
Polydyne has provided a quote for $1.89 per pound, plus tax, which is the same pricing as last year. Therefore, staff recommend the purchase of polymer from Polydyne.
The contract includes the supply and delivery of 264,960 pounds of the chemical product.
Contractor Quote Amount Contract Amount
Polydyne, Inc. $1.89 + 9.625 % Tax $548,973.94
The unit price bid for Polydyne was $1.89 per pound. The term of the contract is 12 months, and the price is to remain firm for the entire period. Including sales tax and tariffs, the total cost to the City is $548,973.94. Staff recommends a contingency of 10% to address any changes in the quantity of polymer needed with one digester out of service and the new wastewater treatment plant processes, both of which result in increased biosolids production.
CITY OF SAN MATEO
BUDGET IMPACT:
Funding for the supply of chemicals is budgeted annually in the WWTP operating budget.
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION:
This Council action is not a project subject to CEQA, because the purchase of liquid emulsion polymer to maintain WWTP operations is a continuing maintenance activity involving the purchase of supplies. (CEQA Guidelines Sections 15378(b)(2).)
NOTICE PROVIDED
All meeting noticing requirements were met.
ATTACHMENTS
Att 1 – Proposed Resolution
Att 2 – Purchase Agreement
STAFF CONTACT
Robert Learmonth, Wastewater Treatment Plant Manager
[email protected]
(650) 522-7386
Robert Knox, Wastewater Treatment Plant Operations Superintendent [email protected]
(650) 522-7376